Hidden treasures in Southern Bulgaria

Day 1 - Visit to Rila Monastery (regarded as Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monument). Continue our trip to the smallest town in Bulgaria, Melnik, also known for the original architecture, the sand pyramids and the excellent wines

Day 2 - Morning visit to Kordopulova house and Rozhen monastery. Drive to the village of Dobarsko, where we will visit the old church (1614) and enjoy an authentic Bulgarian folk music and dancing performance by the Singing Grandmothers.

Day 3 - Scenic drive through the mountain roads of Southern Bulgaria on our way to the architectural reserve of Dolen, where we can explore the streets and the old stone houses. We can also visit my friend Baba Dyushka and enjoy her delicious beans for lunch. Continue our trip towards the dramatic Trigrad gorge.

Day 4 - Morning visit to the Devil's throat cave and then take an off-road jeep ride to the Eagle Eye platform, hanging in the open air on 700 metres above the ground. Pop by the Wonder Bridges (one of the most spectacular rock formations in Bulgaria) en route to the house of a local family, a place where you can experience the famous Rhodope hospitality

Day 5 - Visits to the Devil's bridge (XVI century) located in the picturesque valley of Arda river and to the X century B.C. Thracian niches at the Eagle Rocks by Ardino. En route to the Thracian sanctuary at Tatul, we will cruise along the ghost villages of the Eastern Rhodope mountains and enjoy the great roadside views, as well as a cup of Turkish coffee at the house of my local Turkish friend Nuri.

Day 6 - A day to explore some lost Thracian ruins including visits to Perperikon (the Oracle of Dionysus) and the VIII B.C. Cromlech (the Bulgarian Avebury), as well as the Thracian rock niches at Kovan Kaya and the Deaf Stones.

Day 7 - Morning visit to the Thracian tomb in Mezek and the XI century Byzantine fortress. Our trip continues along the border with Turkey, where we will discover the remains of the infamous "Iron Curtain" symbolizing the ideological fighting between the East and the West for more than 40 years. Visits to bunkers, trenches, barbed wire fence gates, watch towers, abandoned soldier barracks, etc.
Late afternoon departure to Plovdiv

Day 8 - Explore the cobblestone streets of Old Plovdiv and visit the Roman theater and the stadium, drop by the Archaeological museum, enjoy Roman mosaics "in situ", feel the revival spirit of Nedkovich house

Dobarsko Singing Grandmothers

The Thracian sanctuary at Tatul

The legendary Bukelon fortress

The meanders of Arda river in the Valley of Vultures

Thracian niches at the Eagle Rocks by Ardino

Baba Dyushka serving her delicious beans

The XVI century Devil's bridge

The VIII century B.C. cromlech by Dolni Glavanak

The rock church in Mihalich

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Hidden treasures in Southern Bulgaria